Rangers fans flock to Highbury for charity clash

An emotional Fernando Ricksen is paraded to the Rangers fans at half time during the Scottish League One match at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday January 11, 2014. See PA Story SOCCER Rangers. Credit: PA Wire.

Published:18:23Sunday 26 March 2017

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Fleetwood’s Highbury stadium turned blue for a day as thousands of Rangers fans flocked to the Fylde coast to support Ibrox hero Fernando Ricksen’s charity football game.

With Town in League One action at Bury a crowd of just under 5,000 watched a Rangers Legends side take on an England XI at their home fortress.

Ricksen was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease four years ago and, has helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity despite being given just months to live.

The former Dutch international who spent six years at the Glasgow club after signing from AZ Alkmaar in 2000 was given a huge ovation and guard of honour before the match and then sat in the dugout as England ran out 3-2 winners thanks to goals from Gavin McCann, Darren Anderton and Lee Hendrie.

Marvin Andrews opened the scoring for the Gers and there was a moment to remember for lucky fan Alex Dick as he rounded keeper Tony Warner to net the final goal of the afternoon.

Writing in the match day programme Ricksen said: “I want to thank all the fans for their support. It will be another emotional roller coaster. I am still fighting and will continue to fight.”